Alex Smith: It could have been him

Alex Smith isn’t the type of guy to be petty, but it must have pained him to watch Aaron Rodgers win the Super Bowl, Sunday.

Smith had to have been thinking he could have done as well, given the circumstances.

But the circumstances were far different in 2005. That was when the former Ute quarterback was drafted No. 1 overall, while Rodgers had to wait until No. 24. Smith was quickly a starter while Rodgers had to wait behind Brett Favre.

Turned out Rodgers took the better path. He had time to watch and develop. Meanwhile, Smith had coaches changing, team turmoil, injury and a lot of discouragement. Now Smith’s future is in doubt, while Rodgers’ seems limitless.

There are plenty of excuses Smith could use, but fact is that Rodgers took a negative situation and turned it into a Super Bowl ring. Smith has been one of the more disappointing picks in NFL history.

SI.com’s NFL draft tracker said this of Smith before the 2005 draft: “A natural leader that does an excellent job running the offense, Smith has been very productive the past two years. Stays away from mistakes and has a tremendous touchdown-to-interception ratio. Does not have a deep passing arm just yet but would be initially effective in a timing or West Coast offense as he grows into a pro passing game.”

Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated tweeted last night: “So is Alex Smith now officially the Sam Bowie to Aaron Rodgers’ MJ?”

That might be a stretch, but he does have a point.

Sometimes the experts get it dead wrong.